Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wrote to every chief executive of the local authorities inviting them to make more applications so that we can give them more money. However, there are a number of things to consider, including the capacity of the local authorities themselves to carry out these works or to even get the paperwork done and into us. More money can definitely be spent. There is no cap on what can be spent. My officials and I are are also reviewing the scheme itself in terms of its cost benefit and other areas to see how we can make it, one might say, more attractive. However, there definitely is huge interest in it from the local authorities. If they want to apply for additional moneys, that can be examined. We are not capping the money or refusing to give money if the scheme meets the criteria. As the Deputy stated, it is a very good scheme to get works done. One can see from the figures that nearly 6,200 properties have been protected for very small money.